Richard Gere was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 31, 1949. He grew up on a farm in upstate New York. While still in high school, Gere mastered a variety of musical instruments. He also wrote music for high school productions.

After graduating high school in 1967, he attended the University of Massachusetts on a gymnastic scholarship to study philosophy and drama. However, he dropped out after two years to pursue a career in entertainment. Initially he began his career as a musician, but the guitar player quickly got the acting bug, performing with the Provincetown Players and the Seattle Players. In 1973 his career began to take flight when he landed the role of Danny Zuko in the stage production of Grease on Broadway and in London.

He then made his film debut in a small role in the police drama "Report to the Commissioner". Next came a leading role in the now classic "Days of Heaven" after John Travolta turned it down. He also played opposite Diane Keaton in the controversial, morality tale "Looking For Mr. Goodbar."

Then came the roles that made Richard Gere a full fledged sex symbol. History would repeat itself as John Travolta again turned down both roles that really jump-stared Gere's career. They were "American Gigolo" and "An Officer and a Gentleman".

After meeting with box office success in the early 80's the rest of the decade saw little triumph for the actor. He had a run of mediocre films including "King David" (1985), "Power" (1986), and "Miles From Home" (1988). It didn't seem to affect the silver haired hunk. He was preoccupied with exiled Dalai Lama and the state of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, Gere has successfully used his high visibility to promote various cause, the most notable of which has been his call for support for Tibetans oppressed by the Chinese government. To organize and advance his various activist causes, Gere founded the Tibbet House in New York, as well as established the Gere Foundation.

1990 showcased Gere in two of the highest grossing films of the year. One was in the sleeper hit "Internal Affairs" and in the $455 million hit "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts. He married super model Cindy Crawford in 1991 but they divorced in 1995 after a romance full of tabloid skepticism and speculation.

Again Gere hit a slump in his career and another string of off-the-mark films like "Analysis" (1992), "Mr. Jones" (1993), "Sommersby" (1993), and "First Knight" (1995). In 1996 he had another sleeper hit "Primal Fear", unfortunately Edward Norton effortlessly stole the spotlight and Gere's leading-man thunder. In 1997 Gere delivered two major features including "Red Corner" and "The Jackal". In 1999 he reunited with Roberts for the romantic comedy "Runnaway Bride".

Although his career has seen it's ups and downs his sex symbol status is still alive and well. He is most recently cast with Wynona Ryder in a May/September romance storyline. After all there is something sexy and mysterious about a man who feels as comfortable in the fantasy world of tinseltown as in the mountains of Tibet.